Louise M. Turner

TURNER Louise M. (Comer) Turner, of Newton, Mass., formerly of Fairfield, August 20, 2007 at age 96. She was born on January 16, 1911. Beloved wife of the late Prescott Kingsbury Turner, Sr. Daughter of the late George and Elsie Comer, and sister of the late Irene Comer, Elsie Comer, Wayne Comer, Dorothy Waddell, Lorraine Crockett and Virginia Spencer. Devoted mother of Gail Turner (Slover) Arcari of Cromwell; Prescott K. (Scott) Turner and wife, Kathleen of Natick, Mass., and Amy Turner Montague and husband, Lynwood of Newton, Mass.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Turner made her home in Fairfield for 41 years before moving to Massachusetts in 1992 after her husband's death. Graduating from Harding High School in Bridgeport at age 16, she was the school's youngest valedictorian. She was also the class poet and wrote the class hymn. She graduated from Barnard College in 1939 summa cum laude with honors in mathematics and was awarded the Grace Potter Rice fellowship for graduate study. She received her master's degree from Brown University, and completed the coursework toward a doctorate at Columbia University. From 1941 to 1947 she taught at Barnard College. During World War II, she taught cryptanalysis for the U. S. Navy to a select group of Barnard students, some of whom went on to break enemy codes. She taught mathematics at Roger Ludlowe High School in Fairfield (1952-1956) and was Associate Professor at the University of Bridgeport (1953-1976). After her retirement from teaching, she was Regional Coordinator and Advisor for Charter Oak State College, (1978 -1986). During the 1940s and 50s, she assisted her sisters, Irene and Elsie Comer, with recitals and other special occasions at their ballet and ballroom classes in Fairfield County. She was president of the Barnard chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and a member of the science honor society Sigma Xi, the American Mathematical Society and the American Association of University Women. Memorial observances private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Barnard College, c/o Audra Lewton, Office of Planned Giving, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.